How to Meet the Emotional Needs of Your Dog: Building a Relationship, Offering Choice, and Providing Safety

Understanding Your Dog’s Emotional World

Dogs, much like humans, have emotional needs that must be met to ensure a happy and well-balanced life. A dog’s emotional well-being is deeply connected to their relationship with humans, the choices they are given, and the sense of safety they feel. By addressing these key areas, dog owners can foster a fulfilling and trusting relationship with their canine companions.

The Power of Relationships in a Dog’s Emotional Well-Being

Dogs are social animals that thrive on companionship and connection. Their deep-rooted bond with humans has evolved over thousands of years, making them highly attuned to our emotions and behaviors (Hare et al., 2002). Research has shown that even unfamiliar people can interpret a dog’s barks and body language (Pongrácz et al., 2005). Furthermore, dogs can differentiate between positive and negative human emotions, responding accordingly (Huber et al., 2017).

Since dogs rely heavily on their relationships with humans, prolonged isolation can lead to anxiety and behavioural issues. The Animal Welfare Act (DEFRA, 2017) emphasizes that dogs should not be left alone for long periods. Engaging in positive interactions—such as playtime, training, and daily walks—helps meet a dog’s social needs and fosters emotional stability.

How You Can Strengthen Your Bond:

• Spend quality time engaging in interactive activities like fetch, obedience training, or scent games.

• Use positive reinforcement to build trust and create a sense of security.

• Maintain consistency in your interactions to establish reliability and confidence in your relationship.

The Power of Choice in a Dog’s Life

Although dogs depend on humans for their basic needs, they benefit greatly from having some level of autonomy. When dogs are given choices, they experience less stress and greater emotional satisfaction. Studies suggest that dogs will often prioritize social harmony over personal benefit, following human guidance even when it results in a lesser reward (Prato-Previde et al., 2008).

Another study demonstrated that dogs can be misled by human cues when searching for hidden food, showing their strong reliance on human decision-making (Stewart et al., 2015). However, older dogs exhibit more independence in making choices, highlighting the importance of autonomy in their emotional development.

Ways to Give Your Dog More Control:

• Let them choose their walking route whenever possible.

• Offer a variety of toys and enrichment activities for mental stimulation.

• Allow them to decide where they want to rest or sleep.

• Introduce puzzle feeders to encourage independent problem-solving.

Creating a safe and secure environment for your Dog’s Emotional Stability

A sense of safety is fundamental to a dog's emotional well-being. When dogs feel secure, they are more likely to explore, learn, and build positive associations with their surroundings. Dogs also mirror human emotions, meaning a calm and confident owner fosters a sense of security in their pet (Cattet, 2013).

The DEFRA guidelines (2017) stress the importance of providing a suitable living space that minimizes stressors. Dogs should have access to a quiet, comfortable retreat where they can relax without disturbances. The RSPCA (2022) also advises creating a stress-free atmosphere to promote emotional stability.

Tips for Ensuring Your Dog Feels Safe:

• Provide a designated "safe space" where your dog can retreat when feeling overwhelmed.

• Use a crate as a positive space, not as punishment.

• Avoid forcing interactions with unfamiliar people or animals.

• Advocate for your dog by setting boundaries in social situations.

Maintaining Calmness in a Dog’s Life

Keeping a dog calm is vital for their emotional health. High levels of stress or anxiety can lead to behavioural issues, including aggression, excessive barking, and destructive tendencies. One effective way to maintain calmness is through reward-based training. The RSPCA (2022) advocates for positive reinforcement techniques, such as using play, praise, and food rewards, to encourage good behaviour and build trust.

Early socialisation plays a significant role in helping dogs develop confidence. However, socialisation should not end after puppyhood. Regular exposure to new experiences, environments, and social interactions throughout a dog’s life helps them remain adaptable and less prone to anxiety (Cattet, 2013). Additionally, it is important for owners to advocate for their dogs by respecting their personal space. Not all dogs are comfortable with unfamiliar people or dogs invading their space, and understanding a dog's comfort level can prevent unnecessary stress.

How to Promote Calmness in Your Dog:

• Use consistent and gentle training methods to build confidence.

• Avoid punishment-based training, which can increase anxiety.

• Stick to a predictable daily routine to create a sense of stability.

• Use calming techniques such as slow petting, massage, and relaxing background music.

Conclusion

Fulfilling a dog’s emotional needs—through strong relationships, increased choice, a sense of safety, and maintaining calmness—ensures a happier, more balanced canine companion. By recognizing the deep bond between humans and dogs, allowing for autonomy, providing secure environments, and using positive reinforcement training, owners can support their dogs in leading enriched, emotionally fulfilling lives. A well-supported dog is not only happier but also more confident and well-behaved, strengthening the human-dog bond for years to come.

Ready to build a stronger bond with your dog? Contact us today for expert training advice and personalized guidance to support your dog’s emotional and behavioural well-being!

References

Cattet, J. 2023. 10 effective ways to help our dogs feel safe. Available at: https://blog.smartanimaltraining.com/2013/06/28/10-effective-ways-to-help-our-dogs-feel-safe/  Accessed 31/01/2024

DEFRA (2017) Code of practice for the welfare of Dogs. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5ac78152ed915d76a04b2da6/pb13333-cop-dogs-091204.pdf Accessed: 31/01/2024

Hare, B., Brown, M., Williamson, C. and Tomasello, M., 2002. The domestication of social cognition in dogs. Science, 298(5598), pp.1634-1636.

Huber, A., Barber, A.L., Faragó, T., Müller, C.A. and Huber, L., 2017. Investigating emotional contagion in dogs (Canis familiaris) to emotional sounds of humans and conspecifics. Animal Cognition, 20, pp.703-715.

Pongrácz, P., Molnár, C., Miklósi, A. and Csányi, V., 2005. Human listeners are able to classify dog (Canis familiaris) barks recorded in different situations. Journal of comparative psychology, 119(2), p.136.

Prato-Previde, E., Marshall-Pescini, S. and Valsecchi, P., 2008. Is your choice my choice? The owners’ effect on pet dogs’(Canis lupus familiaris) performance in a food choice task. Animal Cognition, 11, pp.167-174.

RSPCA, 2022. How to support your pet’s emotional wellbeing. Available at: https://www.rspcapetinsurance.org.au/pet-care/health-and-wellbeing/emotional-wellbeing-of-pets Accessed: 31/01/2024

Stewart, L., MacLean, E.L., Ivy, D., Woods, V., Cohen, E., Rodriguez, K., McIntyre, M., Mukherjee, S., Call, J., Kaminski, J. and Miklósi, Á., 2015. Citizen science as a new tool in dog cognition research. PloS one, 10(9), p.e0135176.